Ranking and Reviewing The Hunger Games Movies (with Haymitch’s Best Moments)
In honor of Sunrise on the Reaping getting a movie adaptation this fall, I decided to rank and review all of The Hunger Games movies and mention my favorite Haymitch moments from each one. This is self-explanatory, but this whole post has HUGE spoilers for the whole series (except Sunrise on the Reaping, no spoilers for that one). So, without further ado, check out my reviews and rankings of The Hunger Games movies below!
5. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
I would venture to say that everyone ranks this one last in the series. While it was interesting getting to see Snow’s origin story, a lot got lost in translation in the adaptation (at least in my opinion). The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes isn’t bad, but it’s really not that great either. Lucy Gray was such a dynamic character but Snow was just… confusing. In the movie at least. In the book, I feel like he had so much more in terms of character arcs and driving forces.
Also, no Haymitch moments because he obviously isn’t even born yet (I think).
4. Mockingjay - Part 1
I think The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 had a lot going on. I enjoy watching it, following the story and our favorite characters, but you don’t get very far. I feel like this movie encompasses the most boring parts of the whole series (because it’s all leading up to the ultimate battle). So, obviously, it doesn’t rank very high for me.
Favorite Haymitch Moments:
- When he hugs Katniss while she has her breakdown (realizing that Snow is going to kill Peeta) after the Capitol tries to bomb District 13.
- When he tells Katniss she’s the only real friend he has down there (and then promptly asks if she has any medication/drugs).
- When Katniss is trying to distract Snow, but Snow knew all along that Gale was in the Capitol trying to save Peeta. She hysterically starts crying asking if she lost them both tonight (Gale and Peeta). Haymitch pulls her in close for a hug. This one really hits differently when you think about how Sunrise on the Reaping goes for Haymitch….
3. The Hunger Games
I feel like I’ll have a lot of people disagree with me on this one, but the original The Hunger Games movie wasn’t one of my favorites. I obviously love it and the world it builds, but it feels like a lot of it was forced (I internally cringe every time Haymitch tried to say “sweetheart” or Katniss called Primrose her “little duck”). A lot of the nicknames felt off and it just didn’t sit well with me. I also felt like the actors were still trying to get to know their characters, so each subsequent movie felt much better.
Favorite Haymitch Moments:
- When Haymitch gives Katniss the advice that to stay alive, she has to get people to like her.
- When Haymitch tells Katniss “nice shooting” (and cackles) after she shoots her arrow at the game makers.
- When Haymitch sees Katniss struggling with the burns and gets her sponsors for medicine.
- When Haymitch basically talks Seneca Crane out of killing Katniss because she’s an underdog.
2. Catching Fire
While rewatching the entire series, I found that I really enjoyed Catching Fire more than I thought I had. You return to the games, you see how high the stakes really are (as if they could go higher – but then they really do), and you meet some seriously iconic characters. Finnick? Beetee? Plutarch? So many faces for the rebellion who change everything. Not to mention, you see how much Katniss truly cares for Peeta.
Favorite Haymitch Moments:
- “You could live a hundred lifetimes and never deserve that boy,” and “nobody ever wins the games, period.”
- Haymitch saying, “Thank you” back to Johanna after Johanna undresses on the elevator.
1. Mockingjay - Part 2
I love a good ending (and not necessarily all butterflies and rainbows because this ending is NOT that). I just love something that feels like it comes all the way back around, hitting every bump and knowing exactly how it has to end even if it changes everything. Mockingjay – Part 2 does exactly that. So many things happen, so many things change the entire dynamic of the story, but the ending? It felt complete in a way that only good stories achieve.
Favorite Haymitch Moments:
- When Haymitch looks over to Katniss and agrees to a Capitol children Hunger Games only because she agreed to it and he knew she had a reason (this wasn’t depicted super well in the movie, though, in my opinion).
- After Katniss kills Coin (because Coin was turning into another Snow), Haymitch tells her that she never disappoints.
- When Haymitch tells Effie that he will take care of Katniss.
